Drone detectors, small enough to fit inside a pocket or a hand, are sought in a new challenge launched by HMGCC Co-Creation.

The use of drones is now common everywhere, including by those intent on harming the UK and its allies. This challenge seeks to find a new way to address some of those risks.

The team wants to hear from organisations who are developing miniature devices to detect drones, also known as Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS). We are not interested in devices used to disrupt or effect UAS flight paths.

This is the latest challenge set by HMGCC Co-Creation, which invites applications from industry and academia, to help solve national security problems.

Organisations are being asked to apply if, over a 12 week period, they can develop and demonstrate technology to meet this challenge. HMGCC Co-Creation will provide funding for time, materials, overheads and other indirect expenses.

Key information

HMGCC Co-Creation will be hosting a two-stage competition process.

1. Phase 1. The objective is to rapidly assess one (1) page proposals. Those unsuccessful will be informed with feedback. Those successful applicants will be invited to phase 2. For further information please see How to apply – Phase 1. in the full challenge information.
2. Phase 2. Following a feedback phase, applicants will be requested to submit a proposal directly to cocreation@hmgcc.gov.uk. For further information pleas see How to apply – Phase 2. in the full challenge information.

Total budget, up to £60,000
Project duration 12 weeks
Phase 1 competition opens Monday 3 February 2025
Phase 1 competition closes Thursday 20 February 2025 at 17.00
Applicants notified Friday 7 March 2025
Phase 2 competition opens Monday 10 March 2025
Phase 2 competition closes Thursday 27 March 2025 at 17.00

Context of the challenge

There have been high profile news reports detailing the use of off–the-shelf and disposable UAS used in international conflicts as well as to disrupt life here in the UK.

There is constant innovation in the disruptive use of UAS, with motivations including examples such as secret surveillance or even damage leading to casualties.

The first stage to countering the UAS threat, is to detect their presence. To scale this across national security, a miniaturised UAS detector, ideally that fits in a pocket and alerts the user, is required to operate in rural and urban environments.

Who should apply?

This challenge is open to sole innovators, industry, academic and research organisations of all types and sizes. There is no requirement for security clearances.
Solution providers or direct collaboration from countries listed by the UK government under trade sanctions and/or arms embargoes, are not eligible for HMGCC Co-Creation challenges.

Evaluation criteria

All proposals, regardless of the application route, will be assessed by the HMGCC Co-Creation team. Proposals will be scored 1–5 on the following criteria:

Scope: Does the proposal fit within the challenge scope, taking into consideration cost and benefit?

Innovation: Is the technical solution credible, will it create new knowledge and IP, or use existing IP?

Deliverables: Will the proposal deliver a full or partial solution, if a partial solution, are there collaborations identified?

Timescale: Will the proposal deliver a minimum viable product within the project duration?

Budget: Are the project finances within the competition scope?

Team: Are the organisation / delivery team credible in this technical area?

HMGCC Co-Creation supporting information

HMGCC works with the national security community, UK government, academia, private sector partners and international allies to bring engineering ingenuity to the national security mission, creating tools and technologies that drive us ahead and help to protect the nation.

HMGCC Co-Creation is a partnership between HMGCC and Dstl (Defence Science and Technology Laboratory), created to deliver a new, bold and innovative way of working with the wider UK science and technology community. We bring together the best in class across industry, academia, and government, to work collaboratively on national security engineering challenges and accelerate innovation.

HMGCC Co-Creation is part of the NSTIx Co-Creation network, which enables the UK government national security community to collaborate on science, technology and innovation activities and to deliver these in partnership with a more diverse set of contributors for greater shared impact and pace.

HMGCC Co-Creation aims to work collaboratively with the successful solution providers by utilising in-house delivery managers working Agile by default. This process will involve access to HMGCC Co-Creation’s technical expertise and facilities to bring a product to market more effectively than traditional customer/supplier relationships.